International Finance, Fund Finance, Associate

Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $1.1 trillion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis.

The Firm is looking to recruit an Associate to join the EMEA Fund Finance team responsible for a number of our European funds covering various asset classes. The Associate will be an integral member of the team in London and will report to the Vice President in the team.

Responsibilities

• The Associate will act as a key liaison between a variety of internal and external stakeholders including, among others, European and global finance teams, treasury and accounting functions, investor relations, and auditors.
• Fund accounting and administration: work directly with internal and external teams to strike monthly NAVs and validate corporate level activity, including but not limited to, monthly subscription and redemption activity, distributions, promote calculations, management fee calculations, NAV allocations, liquidity forecasting and corporate G&A.
• Liquidity Management / Investor transactions: actively monitoring the liquidity of the entire fund structure including supporting treasury operations for monthly investor subscriptions, redemptions and distributions; liaising with stakeholders to ensure sufficient cash is available when and where required.
• FP&A: Analyse complex financial information to provide meaningful, accurate, and timely financial performance reporting to the board and other senior stakeholders for decision making purposes.
• Reporting: responsible for organizing Fund board meetings and coordinate the delivery of internal and external teams to ensure that the reporting is efficient and robust.
• Financial Reporting: manage the delivery of yearly and half yearly financial statements in accordance with IFRS/local GAAP and local regulatory requirements.
• Annual and interim audits: project management of external audits including coordinating with appointed service providers, Blackstone management and the external auditor; review financial information and disclosures included in financial statements.
• Tax compliance: working with internal Tax teams and advisors to ensure Fund level compliance and investor reporting needs are met.
• Assisting with ad hoc technical accounting matters and other projects throughout the year.

Qualifications & Skills

• Degree and ACA qualified (or equivalent accounting qualification) with 2 - 4 years of post-qualification experience.
• IFRS accounting / financial reporting expertise.
• Prior experience with Credit funds and/or asset management sectors an advantage.
• Superior analytical and financial skills with Excel and PowerPoint expertise.
• Confident to build relationships and be the primary contact point for a range of stakeholders.
• Confident and inquisitive mindset that seeks to fully understand, be accountable and operate with an innovative mindset.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and execute a wide range of assignments, strong time management skills and attention to detail.
• Willingness to take on additional projects and support others in the department outside their direct responsibilities.

The duties and responsibilities described here are not exhaustive and additional assignments, duties, or responsibilities may be required of this position. Assignments, duties, and responsibilities may be changed at any time, with or without notice, by Blackstone in its sole discretion.

Blackstone is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital or partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic predisposition, veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, a sex offense or stalking, or any other class or status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.